BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, January 3, 2020 (PLP PR Media Inc.) — Curtains came down on Sugar Mas 48 on Thursday night January 2 with a hugely successful Last Lap jam session which was described by Prime Minister Dr the Hon Timothy Harris as spectacular and the largest, and the most peaceful in recent years.

“I want to commend the organisers of Sugar Mas 48 for what has been the most well attended National Carnival events,” said Dr Harris who was among the thousands of revellers that had turned out in downtown Basseterre to witness the Last Lap jam session. “All activities of Sugar Mas 48 were well executed and well patronised including the Last Lap jam session.”

According to Prime Minister Harris, the relatively incident-free Last Lap jam session which went late into the evening has gone a long way in marketing the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis as a tourist destination of choice and he has thanked the thousands of revellers who put country first and turned out to be the best ambassadors of St. Kitts and Nevis.

“Our carnival which is among that best in the Caribbean has come of age, and this is what was confirmed to me by the large number of returning nationals and revellers with whom I interacted,” said Dr Harris. “We also had three cruise ships docked at Port Zante today and I won’t be wrong in saying that many of the tourists who came out and experienced a snippet of the action will want to return for Sugar Mas 49 not as cruise passengers but as stay-over visitors for them to fully enjoy all of our carnival activities.”

Prime Minister Harris joined revellers at the Circus where he was greeted by hundreds of persons who were overjoyed to see him. He met Governor’s Deputy His Excellency Michael Morton, and a host of business executives. Others who met the Prime Minister included International Jamaican cricketer and former Captain of the St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots, Mr Chris Gayle, the recently crowned Senior Calypso King, Socrates – Mr Sylvester Hodge and hundreds of revellers and onlookers.

Troupes, led by bands and DJs, crisscrossed the streets of downtown Basseterre and some of them had exceedingly large numbers of revellers in their wake. There was a heavy presence by members of the security forces (Police and Defence Force) who ensured that there were no unseemly incidents.

“Members of our security forces have done an excellent job in maintaining the high level of peace that prevailed at all the Sugar Mas 48 events,” said Prime Minister Harris. “Citizens and residents must also be commended for coming out to participate in activities laid out for them and generally the revellers and onlookers complied with directions from law enforcement officers. It was a real proud moment.”

The Honourable Prime Minister added: “This gives the country a good head-start as we face the year 2020 which comes to us with promise of better life for our people. With the people’s support in the manner they have celebrated activities of Sugar Mas 48, my Team Unity Government is commitment to steer the country to even greater heights in this New Year.”

Prime Minister Dr the Hon Timothy Harris joins other revellers and onlookers at the Circus in downtown Basseterre for the Last Lap jam session. Picture on top left: Prime Minister Harris (centre) with Cricketer Chris Gayle (right). Top right: PM Harris with King Socrates. Bottom: Activities on Fort Street at 9:30 pm With three cruise ships at Port Zante, a number of tourists not only came out to watch activities taking place, but joined in the action. A cross section of activities during Last Lap jam session on Thursday January 2.